BOSSES at a factory in Oakenholt have rubbished claims by North Wales AM Mark Isherwood that it is on the verge of closure.

In a statement released this week, Mr Isherwood claimed that Swedish tissue firm SCA is locked in 'make or break' talks with Flintshire County Council over the continued operation of the factory.

Mr Isherwood also claimed that workers are facing the axe.

He has now written to Andrew Davies, the National Assembly's minister for economic development and transport, to voice his concerns.

But SCA bosses have angrily dismissed the statement and said they had not been in contact with the council since the beginning of October, when the factory was given planning permission to install a new de-inking process at its Oakenholt base.

Mr Isherwood's statement reads: 'I am told the owners of the international company SCA is stating that it is 'make or break' with regard to their continued operation on Deeside and have identified an alternative location in Bolton where all of their proposed investment can be put.

'I am concerned about the potential loss of local investment and have asked Mr Davies to confirm his proposed actions in this matter so that vital local investment may be protected.

'If SCA is forced to move their investment to Bolton I am concerned about the potential loss of jobs for local people in North Wales.'

But SCA spokesman Brian Parkinson said there was no truth in Mr Isherwood's claims.

He said: 'As far as we are concerned, this is a non-story.

'We have no outstanding business with Flintshire County Council. Our last business was on October 6 when we were given planning permission, overwhelmingly so, to install a new chemical process at our Oakenholt site.

'We were very pleased to have been given this permission and it shows our continued support for the Oakenholt factory.

'Mr Isherwood's report contains a number of inaccuracies, not least the fact we do not have a base of operations in Bolton. The reason for Mr Isherwood releasing such a statement at this time is a complete mystery to us.'

In April, Oakenholt residents successfully opposed SCA's plans to enlarge the plant. The expansion would have brought the paper mill to within 15 metres of Leadbrook Drive residents' back gardens.

Two months later, protesters claimed they were vindicated after a fire destroyed the plant's huge raw material shed, with thousands of tons of paper pulp set ablaze.

Flames leapt almost 100ft in the air as fire crews spent more than 12 hours trying to control the inferno, capping residents' fears the mill is too close to their homes.